The Scorpio(n) king

Mar 10, 2005, 12.36AM IST

Mahindra's new Scorpio version has the common-rail diesel engine technology for better emissions' performance, as well as running. Though the power has only gone up by 9 bhp, the overhauling that has been done has made driving it, quite a pleasurable experience.

The overall feeling, is of a quicker car, with revised gear ratios.

In this world, power is the ultimate aphrodisiac. Nothing gives greater pleasure, whether you are occupying a seat at 7 Race Course Road or driving a car.

Understandably, the new Scorpio gives you the same heady feeling-a feeling of greater power than was previously available.

The truth of the matter is that the new Scorpio is the same overall car as the older version, but the new common-rail diesel head in the engine, gives it a dramatic transformation.

In the three years since launch, the Scorpio built up quite a fan following, thanks to its relative trouble-free nature and quiet running, but the new CRDe version, as Mahindra calls it, is a quieter machine with a greater performance.

First off, the gear ratios have been completely revised, to take advantage of the much larger torque of the engine.

Although on paper the power has gone up only by 9bhp, yet the higher torque and revised set of ratios makes Scorpio quite a peppy performer now. The engine is also noticeably quieter, and during cruising, one can hardly make out any engine noise. Brilliant, for any Indian made vehicle!

The engine of the Scorpio was developed totally in-house, by a team of 20 engineers working closely with MICO Bosch. This is the first designed and developed common-rail diesel engine in India for indigenous use.

Using the same standards as the Euro Gen 2.2 system, fuel pressures are as high as 1600 bar, the same that contemporary systems in use in Europe today. A pilot and a pre-injection followed by the main firing sequence makes sure that the Scorpio CRDe is a very quiet car with minimal vibrations.

Even the overall drive has improved considerably. I got into the car, and started the engine with some trepidation, not knowing really what to expect. But she fired in one go, softly burbling away.

Rein in the clutch, and let her rip-although she picks up speed faster than before, the overall feeling you get is of a quicker car thanks to the revised gearing ratios.

Ride is still a little bumpy, especially in the back but overall vehicle control is quite good. One of the main aims of designing this vehicle was to make it comply with Bharat Stage 3 norms, and in this regards the vehicle passes with flying colours.

In the inside not much changes have been made, though what is important is that the air-con has been slightly tweaked and now offers two switches for cycling the compressor.

You can have an 'economy' mode to save fuel, or you can have a 'full' mode if the day is unusually hot. The fit and finish naturally has improved considerably since the early cars and all Scorpios now are much better built than before.

Fuel efficiency of the vehicle has also increased considerably and she now is returning around 13kpl, which is quite a high figure for our roads. The new Scorpio will initially be available only in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai, and then later rolled out nationwide, as more of CRDes get manufactured.

Prices start at Rs 6.83 lakh and the top model retails at around Rs 7.93 lakh. Its great value at this rate, because for your money you get a vehicle complete in all respects and a state-of-the-art engine rivaling contemporary engines in Europe currently available.